TY - JOUR
T1 - The association between anxiety and depression symptoms and pain and function in adolescents and young adults with chronic pain
T2 - a meta-analysis
AU - Harte, Nicole
AU - Aaron, Rachel V.
AU - Bhattiprolu, Kavya
AU - Bisby, Madelyne A.
AU - Gandy, Milena
AU - Hathway, Taylor
AU - Dear, Blake F.
AU - Dudeney, Joanne
PY - 2024/10/1
Y1 - 2024/10/1
N2 - Objective: Chronic pain in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is associated with adverse functional and psychological outcomes; however, inconsistent findings across studies necessitate a comprehensive synthesis. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify associations between anxiety, depression, and pain/functional outcomes, and explore study and sample moderators, such as age, sex, pain duration, recruitment setting, and measurement tools. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Embase through May 2024. included 57 studies (N = 12,603) of AYAs aged 12–25 years with chronic pain. Risk of bias and GRADE assessments were conducted. Pearson r correlations were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: Small associations were found between anxiety, depression, and heightened pain intensity (r = 0.20, 0.24). Moderate-to-large associations were observed between anxiety, depression, and disability (r = 0.32, 0.34), pain interference (r = 0.47, 0.51), pain catastrophizing (both r = 0.50), and poorer quality of life (r = −0.56, −0.61). Anxiety had stronger correlations with pain intensity and catastrophizing in samples with more males. Anxiety measure moderated the anxiety-pain intensity relationship. Depression had stronger correlations with pain intensity for shorter pain duration, and catastrophizing and pain interference for longer pain durations. The depression-catastrophizing association was stronger in older samples. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression significantly impact the chronic pain experience in AYAs, with stronger effects on functional outcomes and quality of life than pain intensity. Tailored interventions that consider age, sex, and pain duration may enhance treatment outcomes in this population.
AB - Objective: Chronic pain in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is associated with adverse functional and psychological outcomes; however, inconsistent findings across studies necessitate a comprehensive synthesis. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify associations between anxiety, depression, and pain/functional outcomes, and explore study and sample moderators, such as age, sex, pain duration, recruitment setting, and measurement tools. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Embase through May 2024. included 57 studies (N = 12,603) of AYAs aged 12–25 years with chronic pain. Risk of bias and GRADE assessments were conducted. Pearson r correlations were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: Small associations were found between anxiety, depression, and heightened pain intensity (r = 0.20, 0.24). Moderate-to-large associations were observed between anxiety, depression, and disability (r = 0.32, 0.34), pain interference (r = 0.47, 0.51), pain catastrophizing (both r = 0.50), and poorer quality of life (r = −0.56, −0.61). Anxiety had stronger correlations with pain intensity and catastrophizing in samples with more males. Anxiety measure moderated the anxiety-pain intensity relationship. Depression had stronger correlations with pain intensity for shorter pain duration, and catastrophizing and pain interference for longer pain durations. The depression-catastrophizing association was stronger in older samples. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression significantly impact the chronic pain experience in AYAs, with stronger effects on functional outcomes and quality of life than pain intensity. Tailored interventions that consider age, sex, and pain duration may enhance treatment outcomes in this population.
KW - adolescents
KW - anxiety
KW - chronic pain
KW - depression
KW - young adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85205378418&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111945
DO - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111945
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39368427
AN - SCOPUS:85205378418
SN - 0022-3999
VL - 187
SP - 1
EP - 11
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
M1 - 111945
ER -